Newbies= gotta luv them

[H20loo]

... but have to look out for them.
My wife’s sister, husband and family want to go camping. They currently have a nice town and country Chrysler which they load up for a weekend at the farm and the poor thing is hunkered down like a cowering dog. This is with no camping involved.
They recently bought a 2016 kodiak 181e. The owner told them it is under 3000lbs and tows like it isn’t there. They decided the minivan transmission wouldn’t take the weight so they traded up a year to a used 2018 Explorer Limited ( no turbo)The salesman sez it can tow 5500 lbs and the little Kodiak will tow like a dream. They go on line and google explorer and see hundreds of dealer posts confirming towing ability of an Explorer. So far the numbers sound good. But reality is about to hit. Family weight is probably 700 lbs. Plus the dog. Their packing for a weekend brought a nice mini van to its knees. Now they are going to load up the trailer, load up the Explorer, use a Wdh set up for who knows what, hook up and want to go camping with us for 2 WEeks. I bet they could end up pushing 11000 lbs.
Oh ya, he had to get the neighbor to back the trailer into his driveway.
Newbies! Sometimes you just have to stand back and marvel.

[DaGrinch]

Think you could do him a favor and get him to take the rig to some scales?

[H20loo]

Originally Posted by DaGrinch

Think you could do him a favor and get him to take the rig to some scales?

I remember a time and it may still be that Uhaul wouldn’t rent a trailer to a Ford Explorer.
The problem is they have just purchased both units and will try to make it work. Just like thousands of other newbies who take a salesman or previous owners advice. It’s a free country but there are times where you just think that maybe travel rigs should be inspected before they are issued license plates. It’s a different thought but- I wonder how many Lippert trailers would make it thru a thorough frame and brake inspection.
Back to the newbies, Desi Arnez said it best. “They have some learnin to do”

[KyDan]

I read every word you just wrote and my response is......
They might be just fine. Time will tell.

[Cowracer]

Now, them being relatives would factor in to this., but my usual response to newbie things like this is:

You ever see those old Mutual of Omaha wildlife documentaries? The would show a gazelle drinking at the water hole. Then a quick cut to a lioness, stalking it thru some high grass. Then back to the gazelle. And back to the lioness. At sime point they show a wide shot of both animals right before the lioness pounces...

At that point, the cameraman knows whats gonna happen to the gazelle. Does he say anything?

I try to be the cameraman.

Tim

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I read every word you just wrote and my response is......
They might be just fine. Time will tell.

My sentiments exactly. Just let it be and bet a dollar they'll be fine.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by H20loo

... but have to look out for them.
My wife’s sister, husband and family want to go camping. They currently have a nice town and country Chrysler which they load up for a weekend at the farm and the poor thing is hunkered down like a cowering dog. This is with no camping involved.
They recently bought a 2016 kodiak 181e. The owner told them it is under 3000lbs and tows like it isn’t there. They decided the minivan transmission wouldn’t take the weight so they traded up a year to a used 2018 Explorer Limited ( no turbo)The salesman sez it can tow 5500 lbs and the little Kodiak will tow like a dream. They go on line and google explorer and see hundreds of dealer posts confirming towing ability of an Explorer. So far the numbers sound good. But reality is about to hit. Family weight is probably 700 lbs. Plus the dog. Their packing for a weekend brought a nice mini van to its knees. Now they are going to load up the trailer, load up the Explorer, use a Wdh set up for who knows what, hook up and want to go camping with us for 2 WEeks. I bet they could end up pushing 11000 lbs.
Oh ya, he had to get the neighbor to back the trailer into his driveway.
Newbies! Sometimes you just have to stand back and marvel.

Back in the late 70's my brother and wife moved from Nebr to Mont. 1250 miles. He owned a 68 Barracuda fast back 318 motor. Rented a dual axle UHaul with the hitch chained to the bumper...remember those ???...anyway....dad said "No way in hell are you going to make that trip." I helped brother load trailer right to the doors with the only space enough for your hand to fit. Two days and 1250 miles...Continental Divide and all, they arrived at their new home in Mont. For years, the wife and I with 4 kids traveled with a Dodge Caravan and a Jayco 8 sleeper popup hooked on back. Rushmore, Snowy range, Yellowstone, Glacier, No scales, no WDH, just camper, gear, kids, wife....and we went. Never killed anyone, never felt unsafe, didn't fear for my life. We went and had fun.

[latner]

All of us were newbies at one point and learned by trial and error.

[Flywithlloyd]

They'll be OK, even without a diesel F350.

[Mrprovy]

I thought the Exploders were supposed to be one of the most capable towing vehicles in the SUV segment?

[Comanchecreek]

Stand by, watch, and offer help if they ask. Someone came to all of our rescue at some point, and we usually appreciated it. Hopefully they won't be afraid to ask.

[Palinduff]

If they load their gear int the trailer and set the hitch properly, lm sure they’ll be fine. I highly doubt they’ll get to 11,000lbs.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

My sentiments exactly. Just let it be and bet a dollar they'll be fine.

My usual thought is............"we have ALL been there".............None of us started out knowing what we know now.

I wish them all the luck and fun on earth

[Springerdad]

Originally Posted by latner

All of us were newbies at one point and learned by trial and error.

EXACTLY. We are still learning. Every trip brings new experiences and new ways of doing things. I think for us that's the fun. Especially the cooking part..... we are always experimenting with new recipes, especially at home. FOOD!!!!!

[blufrog1]

Just looked and this trailer shouldn’t exceed 3500 dry if they load it as many will, add another 1500-2000 so say max 5500. My 2004 2500hddiesel is 6600 and its a heck of a lot beefier than an explorer. My guess is they will do just fine, especially if they don’t treat it like a car and race down the road.

[cfo111]

I had a 95 and towed more then that and never ever had a problem my kid has it with 275,000 miles on it tranny blew up dummy trying to pull a tree stump.

[pdqparalegal1]

Like most newbies, I started out knowing everything. Soon found out tht even though I knew everything, it was for the wrong questions. Even when I finally figured out the correct questions and answers, I would have to relearn it all over again every few years.

Camped in Daytona complaining about low volume and pressure from campground. Maintenance came around and found a ton or crud in my intake screen. At least he didn't rub it in.

Have had electrical problems from time to time, usually something I have dealt with in the past but can't remember what to do at the moment. I have my moments.

[jkoenig24]

Mistakes made with RVs are often expensive and, sometimes dangerous.

Most (all?) "newbies" should find and attend an RV Boot Camp. Escapees run an EXCELLENT program that explains and demystifies the often arcane numbers that RVers have to live with. The two to eight days spent (time depending on which organization runs the event) will be a valuable investment in the attendees RV lifestyle.

In addition to Escapees, the RVSEF, FMCA, RV~Dreams (and probably others) offer this important training. RV Boot Camp graduates are safer RVers and smarter RV buyers.

A small investment of time and money up front will pay BIG dividends down the road.

[FORKLIFMAN]

My buddy and I love watching newbies camping! The wives really don't care. We set up our chairs , too watch, while sipping our beers. Like to watch them park, we both agree to leave them alone, as they need to learn "some time". Then advise them to find an empty lot, and practice. Of course while we are praising them for doing so well! practice, practice, practice

Cheers David

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by FORKLIFMAN

My buddy and I love watching newbies camping! The wives really don't care. We set up our chairs , too watch, while sipping our beers. Like to watch them park, we both agree to leave them alone, as they need to learn "some time". Then advise them to find an empty lot, and practice. Of course while we are praising them for doing so well! practice, practice, practice

Cheers David

I confess: I am not great at backing. Neither are DW or her daughter and they towed horse trailers hundreds of times over years and years. Everybody says "Just put your hand at the bottom of the wheel and move it in the direction you want the trailer to go." And that's all they say. There's no detailed manual to tell you any more.

There seems to be a magic point where the angle between TV and TV gets too great and you can't recover--no matter which way you turn the wheel the trailer continues to jackknife. We had to pull a simple 5x7 U-Haul cargo trailer with a Yukon XL last month and it was a good thing we could load it at the street because the driveway wasn't happening. I'm told that the shorter the distance between ball and axle, the harder it is to back, so this could have been an exceptional case but is supports my query.

Can someone recommend a website or video that has more information than "Put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel."?